One Word

I don’t do resolutions, having found that I abandon them pretty quickly. But I have tried the One Word concept a couple of times. I like having something to focus on/reference as I move through the year.

Two years ago, when I worked hard to encourage teachers to rethink their teaching practice, the word was : Invite

Last year, my word was:Gather And I did gather–with friends and family, in the studio, in classes, and at work, even creating a magazine where writers gathered to publish. I’m in love with our writing/arts community in downtown Fredericksburg.

The idea behind One Word is to let a word rise to the surface, become the word you need for the year. 2013 has been a year of significant change for me. Writing and creating take up the bulk of my time, and I do much of it alone. The older I get, the more I seek solitude.

And there it is. My word: Solitude

At first I resisted. After all, there can be a negative connotation to solitude (loneliness, detachment). But solitude also brings to mind tranquility, reflection, quiet. And those concepts appeal to me.